Compact magnifier for mounting to a portable video device

Abstract

A magnifier device for magnifying a portable video image produced by a video display device. The magnifier includes a base member connected a magnifier portion connected to and rotatable relative to the base member. The magnifier portion is rotatable to facilitate rotation between a first position adjacent a display window of the video device to magnify a display and a stored position compactly arranged adjacent the video display device. The magnifier device can be securely affixed to the video display device and folded to a compact stored position while attached.

1. A magnifier device in combination with a portable video display device:
 said video display device having; 
 a main housing; and 
 a flip up display member having a display window, said flip up display member being rotatably connected to said main housing between a first stored position wherein said flip up display is positioned substantially adjacent said main housing and a second position upright relative to said main housing to expose said display window to a user; 
 said magnifier including; 
 a base member; and 
 a magnifier portion connected to and rotatable relative to said base member, wherein said magnifier portion is rotatable between a first position disposed adjacent said display window to magnify a display when said flip up display is in said second position and a stored position compactly arranged adjacent said video display device when said flip up display is in said first stored position; and 
 a pair of spaced apart linking arms disposed between and pivotably connected to each of said base member and said magnifier thereby permitting compound movement between said base member and said magnifier, 
 whereby said magnifier may be moved from a first stored position where the magnifier is located adjacent and flush against a back surface of said base member to a second open position raised above said base member at a spatial location opposite said back surface of said base member. 
 
   
   
     2. The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said magnifier further includes a cover member rotatably connected thereto, said cover member being rotatably between a first position exposing said magnifier and said display window and a second position covering said magnifier. 
   
   
     3. The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said magnifier further includes a cover member rotatably connected thereto, said cover member being rotatably between a first position exposing said magnifier and said display window and a second position covering said magnifier. 
   
   
     4. A combination magnifier device mounted to a portable video display device:
 said video display device having; 
 a main housing; and 
 a flip up display member having a display window, said flip up display member being rotatably connected to said main housing between a first stored position wherein said flip up display is positioned substantially adjacent said main housing and a second position upright relative to said main housing to expose said display window to a user; 
 said magnifier including; 
 a base member; 
 a magnifier portion connected to and rotatable relative to said base member, wherein said magnifier portion is rotatable between a first position disposed adjacent said display window to magnify a display when said flip up display is in said second position and a stored position compactly arranged adjacent said video display device when said flip up display is in said first stored position; 
 an intermediate spacer member disposed between said magnifier portion and said base member to maintain said magnifier portion spaced apart from said base member, 
 wherein said base member is directly connected to said flip up display member. 
 
   
   
     5. The combination according to  claim 4 , wherein said intermediate spacer member includes a vertical adjustment mechanism to allow selective vertical spatial positioning of said magnifier portion relative to said base member. 
   
   
     6. The combination according to  claim 5 , wherein said adjustment mechanism includes a tab formed on said magnifier portion and slidingly disposed within a recessed channel formed in said intermediate spacer member; and a plurality of stops to maintain said magnifier in one of a plurality of relative vertical positions relative to said intermediate and said base member. 
   
   
     7. The combination according to  claim 6 , wherein said stops include at least one detent formed in said tab engaging one of a plurality of recesses formed in an inner wall surface of said channel. 
   
   
     8. The combination according to  claim 6 , wherein said magnifier further includes a cover member rotatably connected thereto, said cover member being rotatably between a first position exposing said magnifier and said display window and a second position covering said magnifier. 
   
   
     9. The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said base member of said magnifier includes opposed side rails snugly engaging opposing sides of said flip up display member. 
   
   
     10. The combination according to  claim 9 , wherein said side rails each include a detent engaging a recess formed in a corresponding one of said opposing sides of said flip up display to form a snap fit connection between said magnifier and said flip up display member. 
   
   
     11. The combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said base member of said magnifier includes opposed side rails snugly engaging opposing sides of said flip up display member and said side rails each include a detent engaging a recess formed in a corresponding one of said opposing sides of said flip up display to form a snap fit connection between said magnifier and said flip up display member. 
   
   
     12. The combination according to  claim 6 , wherein said base member of said magnifier includes opposed side rails snugly engaging opposing sides of said flip up display member and said side rails each include a detent engaging a recess formed in a corresponding one of said opposing sides of said flip up display to form a snap fit connection between said magnifier and said flip up display member. 
   
   
     13. A combination magnifier device and a portable video device, said portable video device having a main housing and a flip up display member, said magnifier comprising:
 a substantially rectangular planar base member directly connected to said flip up display member remote from said main housing; 
 a magnifier portion connected to and rotatable relative to said base member, wherein said magnifier portion is rotatable between a first position parallel and co-planar with said base member to a second position substantially orthogonal to said base member; 
 an intermediate spacer member disposed between said base member and said magnifier portion, said intermediate spacer member including a vertical adjustment mechanism to allow selective vertical spatial positioning of said magnifier portion relative to said base member. 
 
   
   
     14. The magnifier according to  claim 13 , wherein said adjustment mechanism includes a tab formed on said magnifier portion and slidingly disposed within a recessed channel formed in said intermediate spacer member; and a plurality of stops to maintain said magnifier in one of a plurality of relative vertical positions relative to said intermediate and said base member. 
   
   
     15. The magnifier according to  claim 13 , wherein said base member of said magnifier includes opposed side rails to engage opposing sides of said portable video device, said side rails each include a detent to engage a recess formed in opposing sides of said portable video device to facilitate a snap fit connection therebetween. 
   
   
     16. A magnifier device for use with a portable video device, said magnifier comprising:
 a substantially rectangular planar base member; 
 a substantially rectangular planar magnifier portion; and 
 a pair of spaced apart linking arms each disposed between and rotatably connected to said base member and said magnifier portion thereby permitting compound movement between said base member and said magnifier so that said magnifier may be pivoted to a stored position whereby the magnifier is located flush against a back surface of the base member, 
 wherein said magnifier portion is rotatable between a first position disposed on a first side of said base member and parallel thereto, to a second position substantially orthogonal to said base member and to a third position disposed on a second opposite side of said base member and parallel thereto, and 
 wherein said base member of said magnifier includes opposed side rails to engage opposing sides of said portable video device, said side rails each include a detent to engage a recess formed in opposing sides of said portably video device to facilitate a snap fit connection therebetween, and 
 wherein said magnifier further includes a cover member rotatably connected thereto, said cover member being rotatably between a first position exposing said magnifier to permit viewing therethrough by a user and a second position covering said magnifier.